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Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway

Man, child walking on a trail

Project Description

The Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway (FORTAG) is part of a larger effort to connect communities in and around the former Fort Ord to each other and to education, employment, community, and recreation centers. FORTAG is a proposed new paved regional active transportation route that will serve as a safe pedestrian and bicycle corridor connecting Seaside, Marina, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey and unincorporated community residents to California State University Monterey Bay, the Fort Ord National Monument and the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail.

FORTAG is proposed as an approximately 28-mile continuous 12-ft wide paved bicycle and pedestrian trail with an open-space buffer on both sides. FORTAG will connect to the existing Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and will provide connections to unpaved trails in the Fort Ord National Monument. The northern loop of FORTAG encircles Marina, following a 13 mile route that includes 3 miles of the existing Coastal Rec Trail. The southern loop of FORTAG encircles Seaside and bisects Del Rey Oaks, following a 15 mile route that includes 4 miles of the existing coastal trail system. The route includes spurs connecting with existing and planned bike/pedestrian infrastructure. Several sections of the paved trail will link to nearby unpaved trails.

Three segments of FORTAG are currently in development. The FORTAG Canyon Del Rey Segment is in construction and is expected to be completed by is expected to last through August 2026. The FORTAG California Avenue Segment and the FORTAG Jerry Smith Trailhead Segment are in design. For more informtaiton visit the segment-specific pages at the links below:

The FORTAG project is a grassroots proposal, more information on the background and development can be found here: http://fortag.org/

May contain: plot, map, diagram, and atlas

Project Benefits 

  • Provides a safe connection between residential areas, schools, workplaces, regional parks, and city services
  • Enhances property values along the greenway corridor
  • Provides community health benefits from active transportation routes
  • Creates economic benefits from associated retail, hospitality, and competitive events

Conceptual Design Report

The Conceptual Design Report provides a distinctive design language that will serve as a unifying theme for the trail. 

FORTAG - Conceptual Design Report - Complete Document (11 MB PDF)

By chapter:

Chapter 1: Project OverviewChapter 2: Segment IdentityChapter 3: Logo and Signage ConceptsChapter 4: Design ThemesAppendix A: Design ElementsAppendix B: Branding and WayfindingAppendix C: Safety and Security

Funding

FORTAG has $20 million in Measure X funding. $500,000 of State SB 1 Local Partnership Program funds and $500,000 of Transportation Development Act 2% funds have been allocated for environmental review and engineering design.

FORTAG will be constructed in segments as funding becomes available. Three segments are completely funded and are in development. 

  • In 2019, TAMC secured a highly competitive State Active Transportation Program grant for $10.3 million to fund construction of the Canyon Del Rey Blvd (Highway 218) segment of FORTAG between Del Rey Woods Elementary School and Laguna Grande Regional Park.
  • In 2022, TAMC secured a Federal Lands Access Program grant for $7.148 million to fund the construction of the Jerry Smith Trailhead segment between Imjin Road and the Jerry Smith Trailhead through former Fort Ord open space. 
  • Also in 2022, TAMC secured another State Active Transportation Program grant for $8.4 million to fund construction of the California Avenue segment between Patton Parkway and 8th Street and through former Fort Ord open space in the City of Marina. 

For more information about this project or how to get involved, contact Michael Zeller, Director of Programming & Project Delivery, at (831) 775-4416 or Mike@tamcmonterey.org.